I’m pretty sure everyone has a strange hair some place on them that grows longer than it should – at least I’d like to think everyone does because I don’t want to be the only weirdo out there! Mine is on my right wrist. It’s right in the middle of that round bone that sticks… Read More
As I’ve stated many times already, I’m a mess. I have mental blocks that cause me to do or not do things that I know, intellectually, are silly. Yet it doesn’t stop them from affecting my behaviors. One of these mental blocks is seeking a second opinion. Here’s an example of a time that a… Read More
I began noticing symptoms in early 2008. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in March 2011. That’s three years of wondering “what is wrong with me?” That’s hard on a person. You doubt yourself – are you really feeling these things or is it some kind of personal flaw? Are you really fatigued or are… Read More
My last post talked about the pre-diagnosis years – 2008 to 2011. That’s when I was having symptoms but hadn’t yet been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. It was March 2011 when my doctor called and told me that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Friday before that call was when the nurse had informed me… Read More
It’s been a very long, and meandering, path to diagnosis…and it still may not be done. Although I have one firm diagnosis (Sjogren’s syndrome – which I talked about here), we’re not sure yet if that’s the only autoimmune disease I have or if there are others overlapping. This first “path to diagnosis” post will… Read More
When I began this journey with autoimmune and chronic disease my children were 5 and 7 years old. I want my kiddos to be kiddos as long as possible. They shouldn’t have to be concerned with adult things like bills, work, stress, illnesses and so on. So for a long time I didn’t tell my… Read More
I’m often asked “So what exactly do you have?” That’s a good question! And if you figure out the answer to it, please fill me in! There are over 80 autoimmune diseases – and that number is increasing as more are discovered. The problem is that so very little is known about them! They’re complex,… Read More
I talked about my various painful experiences throughout my life in my opening post. They include the usual things people experience – injuries, surgeries and so forth. All acute (short-term) and all things that would heal and my life would go on with the experience leaving behind nothing more than a memory and maybe a… Read More
Each time I go a doctor, even if it is unrelated to the conditions that are causing me pain, I’m asked “do you have any pain today?” I often chuckle at this question. They’re well-meaning, I know, and I’m not laughing at the nurse. My chuckle is more of a shaking-my-head-in-resignation reflex. Because I’m always in… Read More
I hurt. All the time. Every day. Since about January 2011. I’ve experienced physical pain at various points my life – I had shingles in 9th grade, I had 2 knee surgeries when I was 20 years-old, a broken rib (while having to perform ballet – pas de duex en pointe – on stage and… Read More